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Austin Public Health facing 'uncertainty and instability' amid ongoing funding losses
Austin Public Health continues to face instability for its programs and employees as some of the department's extensive federal funding remains at risk or is being reduced.
APH has reported on its federal grant cuts throughout this year, and recently launched a website tracking the impacts of those changes. Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup told City Council this week that the department remains in a period of "uncertainty and instability" related to millions of dollars for services and staff.
Several community-facing programs could be limited as grant funding winds down or is canceled. Sturrup said APH still remains prepared to confront a public health crisis, but that the department will likely face staffing challenges and less specialized response.
Long term closures planned along Oak Hill Parkway in Southwest Austin
As work on the Oak Hill Parkway project draws closer to completion, the Texas Department of Transportation announced a slew of road closures expected to last through the end of 2025.
The details: The intersection of Monterey Oaks Boulevard, William Cannon Drive and Convict Hill Road will all see reduced lanes and construction as crews work on the new raised highway and connectors to MoPac.
In addition, the eastbound Hwy. 290 exit ramp for MoPac South is closed through the remainder of the year.
The background: TxDOT is currently reconstructing Hwy. 290 in Oak Hill, transforming the existing four-lane, undivided roadway to a six-lane divided highway with new frontage roads and 14 miles of shared-use paths.
In addition, an overpass for the Hwy. 290 mainlanes over William Cannon Drive will be built, along with new flyovers between Hwy. 290 and SH 71. At this location, the Hwy. 290 mainlanes will be lowered under SH 71.
‘This will save lives’: New Texas laws require summer camps to remove cabins from floodplains
Two months after 25 campers and two counselors died in the historic July 4 flooding at Camp Mystic, Gov. Greg Abbott signed three new laws Sept. 5 that he said will “make youth camps safer” and ensure Texas communities are better prepared for future disasters. The flood victims' families attended the Sept. 5 bill signing ceremony in Austin.
The details: Under the two-pronged camp safety package, summer camps are required to remove existing cabins from floodplains by Jan. 1.
Camps must also develop and annually update comprehensive emergency plans, set up warning systems to notify campers if something is wrong and install ladders so campers can climb on cabin roofs during floods.
Looking ahead: Two other disaster preparedness bills, as well as legislation designed to regulate Texas’ multibillion-dollar THC industry, did not pass during the recent special legislative session, which ended around 1 a.m. Sept. 4.
When asked Sept. 5 if he planned to call a third legislative overtime to continue work on those policies, Abbott told reporters to "stay tuned."
